Colchester Town 1 Chelmsford City 0

Sunday 7^th December 2008, Sir Charles Lucas School, Colchester, kick-off 12.00, Essex County Girls League Under 13 Division A.
    How the City youngsters got nothing from this match will remain a mystery following a superb all-round performance which enhanced their growing reputation, but unfortunately not their points tally. They created numerous good openings but overall it was a tale of two goalkeepers, both of whom produced a string of excellent saves throughout.

 City's Christie Lucking was first to shine with a smart stop low to her left, whilst at the opposite end a slick interchange between Gemma Plank and Sophie Dorrington saw the latter shoot just wide. Play continued to switch from end to end and it was Colchester who made the decisive breakthrough on 22 minutes, a home striker being given too much time and space to find the net. Lucking again rescued the Clarets with a brave one-on-one block but with the interval approaching, City's smooth passing so nearly reaped an equaliser. A text-book dipping volley by Jennifer Baldock beat the 'keeper but much to her dismay the ball cannoned back off the upright. Moments later Baldock was thwarted by a good save as Chelmsford's frustration grew.

  The visitors upped the tempo after the break and Baldock was just too high having been set up by a deft Karina Fox pass. Captain and 'Girl of the Match' Laura Massey and Sophie Dorrington both enjoyed storming runs towards goal but just lacked the finishing touch. Colchester always looked dangerous on the break and Lucking was equal to a couple of fine efforts as the outcome remained in the balance. However, Chelmsford knew it wasn't to be their day four minutes from time when a fierce strike by Dorrington was parried by the 'keeper, thus inflicting only the second defeat of the season upon the gallant City girls. In what was a cracking game of football, Chelmsford can be rightly proud of their display against a very impressive and well-organised Colchester team.

  Chelmsford City: Christie Lucking, Ellie Annan, Jade Murrell, Hannah Tomsett, Jade Harrington, Laura Massey, Jennifer Baldock, Sophie Dorrington, Karina Fox, Gemma Plank.

Referee: Daniel Cooper (Colchester).